How To Overcome Temptation

How to Overcome Temptation

Text: Matthew 4:1-11

Subject: Temptation

Theme: How to overcome temptation

Introduction:

Lead Sentence: There are many temptations in life that we must overcome.

1. For example, when we go out fishing we must overcome the temptation to

catch more fish than the law says we are allowed.

2. Young people, when we wake up to go to school in the morning we must

overcome the temptation to play hooky and stay home.

Sermonic Explanation: So also, in our Christian lives there are ways that we can

overcome temptation.

Transitional Sentence: Every Christian can overcome temptation by following

these simple steps.

Body:

I. You can overcome temptation by preparing yourself spiritually before the

temptation occurs. (v. 1, 2)

A. How can you prepare yourself spiritually before temptation takes place?

1. You can prepare yourself by being led of the Spirit. (v. 1)

2. You can prepare yourself by fasting. (v. 2)

3. You can prepare yourself through prayer.

a. Matthew 6:9-13

b. Matthew 26:41

II. You can overcome temptation by refusing to comply with the temptation. (v. 4,

7, 10)

A. In verse 2 the scripture declares that Christ “was afterward an hungred.”

Which simply means that Jesus was hungry after he had fasted 40 days and

nights. The Tempter (Satan) comes to Him in verse 3 and tells him that if He

be the Son of God to turn the stones into bread. Christ refuses to comply

with the temptation not because he could not turn the stones into bread but

because he would not.

B. Jesus would not comply because by complying with the temptation Christ

would have been questioning the voice of God the Father that He had

previously heard in Matthew 3:17.

1. God says in Matthew 3:17 “This is my beloved Son.”

2. Satan says in Matthew 4:3 “If thou be the Son of God.”

C. Jesus refused to comply because it would have distrusted His Father’s care of

Him.

D. He refused to comply because by doing so it would be gratifying Satan if he

obeyed his commands.

III. You can also overcome temptation by using the Sword of the Spirit which is

the Word of God. (v. 4, 7, 10)

A. We must use the Word of God because Psalms 119:105 declares “Thy

Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

B. We must use the word to keep from sinning against God.

1. Psalms 119:11 says “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might

not sin against thee.”

Conclusion:

Look now at the truth from God’s holy word that shines on you from Matthew 4:

1-11. Every born again Christian can overcome temptation. Surely, now you can

find a way to overcome the temptations of the enemy.